As of January 9, 2025, US passport holders will now need to receive an Electronic Travel Authorisation* (ETA) prior to departure from the US.  Other passport holders will eventually have similar requirements that vary based on the country that issued the passport.   The process is on-line and normally takes 3 days to obtain approval so plan ahead.  Presently the cost is £16 and is valid for 2 years or until your current passport expires. 



(* British spelling of "authorization ☺)
 

What you can do with an ETA

You can:

• come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
• come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
• come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
• transit through a UK airport if you will pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure

If you are coming to the UK for another reason, check if you need a visa instead.

An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. You still need to either:

• see a Border Force officer
• use an ePassport gate

 

What you cannot do with an ETA

You cannot:

• stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you are doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
• claim public funds (benefits)
• live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa

FMI: Here is the UK government website for more details of how to apply.